León travel guide

Getting around

Most attractions are within a few blocks of the centre so choosing a fairly central hotel will make it an easy city to explore on foot. Local buses will take you to the terminal and a network of colectivos work as cheap taxis (US$0.15). Taxis cost US$0.60 during the day, US$0.80 at night.

Ins and outs

Getting there

Regular buses to León run from Managua and Chinandega, with frequent routes from Estelí and Matagalpa. International buses will drop you off, if asked, at the entrance to town. The bus terminal is at the northeastern end of town, a 20-minute walk, or short taxi ride from the centre.

León

Bus

The bus terminal is in the far eastern part of town, a long walk or short taxi ride from the centre. Small trucks also ferry people between the bus terminal and town for US$0.25. Besides the regular and express buses, compartidos (small vans) go to most places below, often faster than the bus.

To Managua, express bus, every 30 mins, 0500-1600, US$1.50, 1 hr 45 mins. To Chinan- dega, every 15 mins, 0500-1800, US$1, 1 hr 45 mins. To Corinto, every 30 mins, 0500-1800, US$1, 2 hrs. To Chichigalpa, every 15 mins, US$0400-1800, US$0.75, 1 hr. To Estelí, express bus, 0520, 1245, 1315, 1515, US$2.50, 3 hrs; or go to San Isidro for connections. To Matagalpa, express bus, 0400, 0700, 1400, US$2.75, 3 hrs; or go to San Isidro for connections. To San Isidro, every 30 mins, 0420-1730, US$1.50, 2½ hrs. To El Sauce, every hr, 0800-1600, US$1.50, 2½ hrs. To El Guasaule, 0500, US$2, 2½ hrs. To Salinas Grandes, 0600,1200, US$0.40, 1½ hrs.

Taxi

Taxis around town charge US$0.60 in the day and US$0.80 at night.

Banks

There are many banks on the 2 roads that lead from the front and back of the cathedral to the north. Next to the La Unión Supermarket is BAC (Banco de América Central) T311-7247, for TCs of any kind and cash from credit cards. Cash can be changed with the coyotes 1 block north of the back of the cathedral or at any bank.

Hospital

Hospital at catedral, 1 c sur, T311-6990.

Internet

At nearly every hotel and almost every street in León, best high-speed hook-up at Puerto Café Benjamín Linder, next to UNAN (northern corner), T311-0548, 0800-0000.

Language schools

León Spanish School, Casa de Cultura, Iglesia La Merced, 1½ c abajo, www.apc-spanish schools.com, T311-2116. Flexible weekly or hourly 1-on-1 tuition with activities, volun- teering and homestay options. Pleasant location inside the casa de cultura. Metropolis Academy, www.metropolis spanish.com, La Merced, 2 c norte, 875-9325. A range of programmes from simple hourly tuition to full-time courses with daily activities and family homestay. 20 hrs of tuition costs US$115. Vía Vía, Banco ProCredit, ½ c sur, T311-6142, http://www.viaviacafe.com. This growing cultural centre has good ties to local communities. A convenient, sociable option with bar- restaurant-hostel on site.

Police

T311-3137.

Post office

Correos de Nicaragua, Banco Mercantil 1 c norte, T311-2102.

Telephone

Enitel is on Parque Central at the west side, T311-7377. Also at bus terminal.